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Story-fixing Your Novel––Part VII
Posted on February 22, 2017 Leave a Comment
Let’s take a look at the main character. What applies to him/her will apply to all the characters that need to be “fleshed out.” We’re talking about “Dimensionality” –– or adding proportions and scope to your main character. Readers want to read about conflicted characters doing difficult or extraordinary things. Click to Tweet #amwriting #storyfixing
Story-fixing Your Novel––Part VI
Posted on February 15, 2017 Leave a Comment
When creating a story, we’re encouraged to create a “backstory” for each of the main characters. This is what’s happened to the character before the story begins, and affects how that character behaves. But don’t confuse character “history” to “backstory.” Use only what backstory is necessary to the story now. Click to Tweet #amwriting #storyfixing
Plot Patterns—Part IV Power & Allegory
Posted on August 26, 2015 3 Comments
The last few weeks we’ve been looking at plot patterns as outlined in James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. This week, we’ll wrap up plot systems with Power and Allegory. #plotting #plotpatterns Click to Tweet To access previous posts, click here.
Plot Patterns—Part II Love and Adventure
Posted on August 12, 2015 1 Comment
Last week we began looking at plot patterns from James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. We’ll continue this week. #plotpatterns #plottingpatterns #plottinglove #plottingadventure
Plot Patterns—Part I
Posted on August 5, 2015 1 Comment
Today I’ll be using two resources to talk about plot patterns. One is James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. The other is DiAnn Mills’ Dance of Character & Plot. I’m using both, because even though what they say is similar, the way they say is different. Both perspectives can broaden your understanding of plotting. Click […]
Plotting Systems—Part II
Posted on July 29, 2015 1 Comment
Last time, I surveyed what plotting systems could work for a “pantser” or a “No Outline Person.” (NOP). I’m using James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. #amwriting #plotting systems #plotsystems. What are you—an OP or an NOP? Click to Tweet Let’s take a look at the various plotting systems outliners or Outline Persons use, from […]
Plotting Systems—Part I
Posted on July 22, 2015 3 Comments
In his book, Plot & Structure, James Scott Bell talks about two kinds of fiction writers: OPs and NOPs. To outline or not to outline, that is the question. #amwriting #tooutlineornot Bell encourages new fiction writers to try a little of both.
Writing Unforgettable Fiction—Part III
Posted on July 15, 2015 Leave a Comment
Last week, I talked about plot twists from Steven James’ Story Trumps Structure. This week, we’ll look at Character Struggles. Here’s a great way to start it out: “To initiate your story, your protagonist will either 1) lose something vital and try to regain it, 2) see something desirable and try to obtain it, or […]
Writing Resource–Plot & Structure–Part II
Posted on May 20, 2015 2 Comments
Chapter 5–Middles We’ve all heard about “the middle” of a story and usually what we hear is that it sags, stalls, and slumps. It doesn’t seem to move the story along or go anywhere. James Scott Bell addresses this in chapter five of Plot & Structure. The middle is typically known as Act II. In […]
Plots That Dance – Part I
Posted on March 12, 2015 Leave a Comment
I spotlighted this book, The Dance of Character & Plot, a few months ago in an interview with my Craftsman mentor, DiAnn Mills. You can check out that interview here. Now, I’m going to shine that spotlight on one part of the book, Chapter Seven. Here’s her opening statement: “We all want our novels to […]
Donna L.H. Smith 